flame scallops

[m3rma1d]

anyone have any info on flame scallops? they sure are puuuuurty...and they're only $12.99 right now on sale from $14.99.....think i could get one? or are they fussy? how do i feed one? what kinda lights does it need? mega-lights or just regular...compatibility with other things? etc....thanks

[platapus]

I have had a flame scallop in my tank for about 4 months now, and it seems to be thriving just fine, they are filter feeders, and peaceful towards other tank mates. My exp thus far.

I have read that they dont live long in captivity though, we shall see!

http://marinedepotlive.com/1253674.html

[Jimbo]

Hi,

Flame scallops need alot of food, I've had one before and believe it starved to death. With my current setup, could probally keep one because of the refugium and DSB to reduce nitrates, this allows me to feed more often. Just my 2 cents.

Hope this helps

[Drew]

I have never had one, but from what I have heard about them, I would not recommend them to a normal hobbiest. Like platapus said, they have a poor record in captivity. They are filter feeders, but require a lot of food for survival. It is hard to meet these requirements in our tanks. Sorry, Just my opinion.

Drew

[m3rma1d]

hey drew, don't feel sorry, better i know before i get one

i mean, i like mermaids too... but they are too big for my tank :P

[R1Bill]

princess,

i heard that if you have lots of corals that you feed them heavily, the flame scallops will be ok. i try to target feed mine dt phytoplankton. don't know if it gets enough. probably not.

good luck,

bill

[Brooke]

...plus they have the bad habit of swimming into small crevices in the tank and knocking things over. I'd pass on the scallop. Not long lived...a critter best left in the ocean, IMHO.

Brooke

good for you for asking before buying!!

[m3rma1d]

good for you for asking before buying!!

thanks brooke! i'm kinda proud too, usually i just *buy buy buy*

[ShirleyM]

Our first one in a young tank didn't live very long. Of course, we felt terrible.
Our 2nd one was for an established 120G tank. We target fed it with our corals. It disappeared. We figured it was a goner. A couple months later during a night-time flashlight exploration of things in general, we discovered it hanging upside down from LR in the back corner of the tank -- very much alive! It was there for at least a year after that! Eventually we found an empty shell -- completely cleaned out.

Shirley

[R1Bill]

mine travels. it is a blast watching it scoot around. sometimes in the back under the rocks. sometimes in the sand up front and sometimes almost at the top on the rocks.

bill

[MontanaRocknReefer]

This is another case where beauty ends up being the flame scallop's demise! I had one over 30 years ago and it lived for quite awhile but I moved it and in the process probably damaged it's foot which it achors to a rock and it died shortly after! Not a critter for the reef tank in my opinion! Johnny

[nickg]

On a lighter note, I've had a flame scallop for about 3 months now. Didn't mention it here, cause I knew I may get the torch. It is quite a mover, always in a different spot. I dump DT's in every other day, so far so good. LFS had it for 5.99, I figured "what the heck" my tank is bigger than the thing it was in at the store.

[Flatfish]

I've had one for a few months also. I give is a squirt of dt every other day. I have also read that the long term survivability is quite low.

On a lighter note...This thing is all over the tank. It has the capability to anchor itself to anything, even the glass. Mine is never in the same spot on any given day. It can be on the bottom or anchored to at the top of my 55g. It's really cool. Make sure your fixtures are anchored down, these guy will move around anything that's not well planted.

Go for it!

[OodleyBoodely]

I love my flame scallop and have had it almost a year now. It is presently hidden under the rockwork but usually attaches to the edge at the base of the rock. I think my newish BTA was getting a bit too close for comfort and it moved to escape its tentacles. I don't directly feed mine, however, my tank is heavily fed with frozen and flake. I usually feed frozen brine and flake, but, recently have started rotating Emerald Entree, Frozen Daphnia, frozen tubifex, and brine. I think the small particles and juices from the frozen foods are what it is living on.

I would like to add, that a scallop will constantly 'blow' sand and can excavate a 10" dia. depression in the sandbed-IOW, don't place corals too close or they will get buried. Also, when moving a scallop, never break the byssus threads that they attach to the rockwork with as it can lead to infection and death. The few times I ever had to move mine, I just prodded it gently with my fingers until it closed up and released the threads on its own. They can dedatch the threads when they feel threatened and swim/flap away.

IMO, I beleive these animals need high nutrient systems or frequent hand feeding. I would not recommend them, but, I do not think it impossible to keep them, either. I think the large refugium/DSB filtered systems may be the best approach to keeping scallops successfully, since these systems encourage heavy feeding and in turn produce live zooplancton to feed the scallops. HTH

[fishinchick]

I have one. I think going on 5 months now. I feed DT's mixed with frozen baby brine ever other day. If you are going to get one, keep in mind that they are alot of upkeep and dedication!!!!!!!!
If you dont directly feed it - it will starve to death slowly. Mine is to the point now where if I can get a small amount of food near him he wont slam shut, he sucks it all in. "yummy". He also manages to get my mush mix and smashed formula one and two. I am sure he is pretty well fed and is happy.

ALSO they dont like to stay where YOU put them. Mine picks a different position every other week. They are very active, considering what they are, and will even rescape your sandbed in their vicinity.

IMO - not for beginners or people with small tanks.